Bistro Laurent in Paso - French restaurant that's been there for a million years. Good food and wine list.
Chris Cherry's place across the street, Villa Creek, is also good, if a little more rambunctious.

Sadly, the best Paso restaurant, especially from a wine geek persepective, Alloro, is no longer in business.

I don't get up there enough to have the names commited to memory, but if you walk around downtown Paso, you'll find one or two taquerias that do a fine job - the kind of place you'll recognize when you see it.
There's also a place called Panolivo - nice breads and other baked goods.

You're a short ride from Morro Bay - where the Black Cat Bistro has a good reputation. And in Cayucas, there's also Hoppe's Garden Bistro. (what is it about bistros up there, anyway?)

There's a newish, fancy schmancy hotel in Atascadero, the name of which I am blanking on right now - it'll come to me. They spent plenty upgrading the place though - they might have some decent food there. Don't know much else in Atascadero.

Jenise, in Paso, Bistro Laurant has the top rep. We too morn the passing of Alloro. We were able to get there when we were out there in early '04. We did find a pleasant surprise there at that time. It was right after the earthquake and one of the few places open besides Alloro was a very nice little place on the west side of park called Berry Hill Bistro. It was a stone's throw from ground zero, but they managed to land on their feet. We ate two meals there during that visit and loved the food, wine, and service. The second one sticks in the memory as perfectly cooked but spicy rib eyes that we washed down with AJB Zin. Fantastic. If they are still around, you might check them out.

Jenise wrote:We'll be spending a weekend there with friends this fall. We'll be wine tasting and hubbing in and out of Atascadero. We'll be eating out lunch and dinner. Would appreciate any reccomendations.

Atascadero has a few places for good food.
Village Caffe has excellent Italian food
The Carlton Hotel has a good resturant and sushi bar

Vilage Caffe has a good wine selection. The Carlton wine selection is limited because it's owned by same owners as Martin and Weyick winery.